The NCAA denied Minnesota forward Rakeem Buckles' waiver request to play right away after his transfer from Florida International, Minnesota associate athletic director Chris Werle said. The school is appealing the decision on Buckles' behalf.

The NCAA denied Minnesota forward Rakeem Buckles' waiver request to play right away after his transfer from Florida International, Minnesota associate athletic director Chris Werle said. The school is appealing the decision on Buckles' behalf.

Buckles, who is 6 feet 7, spent three seasons playing for Minnesota coach Richard Pitino's father, Rick, at Louisville. Richard Pitino was an assistant while Buckles was there. Buckles suffered a torn anterior cruicate ligament in each knee while he was with the Cardinals and then transferred to FIU when Richard Pitino was hired there.

• The 1997 Associated Press player of the year trophy earned by former Connecticut women's star Kara Wolters is back in her possession, a week after being reported stolen.

Wolters said the trophy had been sent out for cleaning while she was on a trip, not taken from her home. Wolters said in a text message yesterday that her grandmother had a friend remove the trophy to get it cleaned for her birthday.

Wolters, a 37-year-old former center, found the trophy missing from a display case next to her fireplace when she returned from a trip to the beach on Aug. 20.